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Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help the public make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives.

It’s 2017 — we should be able to power our lives without polluting our environment. We have the ability to produce and consume energy and still enjoy healthy communities — and give our children and their children a livable future. That’s why we’re calling on cities, universities, businesses, and our state governments to commit to 100% renewable energy.

Our Latest Report

Our children need safe drinking water – especially at school where they go to learn and play each day. Unfortunately, lead is contaminating drinking water at schools and pre-schools across the country.

More Research, Policy, Education & Action

Over 11,000 Coloradans, Colorado farmers and businesses, join more than 800,000 Americans and 250 small businesses support restoring Clean Water Act protections to all of the nation's rivers and streams, Environment America said on a key deadline to submit comments.

As international leaders prepare for the United Nations Climate Summit next week in New York, a new study shows America’s power plants dump as much carbon pollution into the air any other country’s entire economy except China. Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center pointed to the report as evidence for why the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal for the nation’s first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants is a critical step in the international fight against global warming.

The report "Lighting the Way" analyzes the strong solar growth seen across the nation, including an 18% increase in Colorado in 2013. The report emphasizes that it is not availability of sunlight that makes states solar leaders, but the degree to which state and local governments have created effective public policy to help capture the virtually unlimited and pollution-free energy from the sun.

The report, “Driving Cleaner: More Electric Vehicles Mean Less Pollution,” shows that electric vehicles could prevent more than a million metric tons of climate-changing carbon pollution annually in the United States by 2025.

Research & Policy Results

Today, Environment Colorado released a new report: “Shining Cities: At the Forefront of America’s Solar Energy Revolution”, a first-of-its kind comparison of the growth of solar in major American cities. The report ranks Denver 10th in the nation for installed solar as well as in solar capacity per capita. Environment Colorado was joined at Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center by Mary Beth Susman, President of the Denver City Council; Rebecca Cantwell, Senior Program Director with COSEIA, the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association; and Steve Mancinelli, owner of 100% solar-powered auto body shop Mancinelli’s Auto Repair Center, to discuss ways to keep Denver and the rest of Colorado at the forefront of solar energy development.

As the Department of the Interior debated whether to allow uranium mining on the borders of Grand Canyon National Park, we released research showing that every uranium mining site in the West has required some degree of toxic cleanup. Interior Secretary Salazar decided to ban new mining claims for 20 years – the maximum allowed by law.

In conjunction with our national federation, we helped convince the Environmental Protection Agency to set smart new limits on the amount of smog-forming carbon pollution that new coal-fired power plants can emit – an important victory for the 300,000 adults and 98,000 children in Colorado who suffer from asthma, which is exacerbated by smog.

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Building a greener future

Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center gratefully accept bequests, beneficiary designations of IRAs and life insurance, and gifts of securities to support our work. Your gift will assure that we can continue to protect Colorado’s air, water and open spaces for future generations.